US materials producer Trinseo has entered a joint development agreement with RWDC Industries to advance shelf-stable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) dispersion technology for barrier coatings used in packaging.
The collaboration is intended to meet rising demand for packaging solutions with compostable and recyclable characteristics by advancing PHA-based dispersion coatings.
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With Trinseo’s pilot coater facility, the technology is said to have reached “runnability objectives” at pilot scale across several coating application methods.
Trinseo technical service and development specialist Alan Piwowar stated: “Since collaborating with RWDC in May of 2023, we have made substantial advances in PHA dispersion technology.
“Our prototypes demonstrate excellent film formation and strong barriers against common food substances such as oil, grease and moisture. By optimising PHA dispersions for barrier coating applications.”
The PHA dispersion has also been reformulated to operate within standard paper-drying parameters, which has led to improved film formation and more robust coating performance.
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By GlobalDataRWDC Industries’ PHA dispersion products for paper and board are produced from non-food-grade feedstocks and are certified as biobased, industrially and home-compostable, and marine and fresh-water biodegradable by TUV Austria.
The dispersions can be run on existing lines alongside other water-based coating systems, allowing the creation of hybrid coatings designed to deliver higher performance while maintaining compostability and recyclability attributes.
Beyond packaging, Trinseo and RWDC are examining additional uses for the jointly developed technology, including possible applications in textiles, construction and adhesives.
RWDC business development director Geoff Nobes added: “PHA dispersion technology will be vital to delivering compostable and recyclable offerings within the packaging industry.”
“Working with Trinseo, we can propel dispersion technology to the market to meet customer requirements for a variety of applications and believe that, together, we can support the packaging industry in its transition to adopt more responsible packaging solutions.”
Trinseo, based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, operates manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
The company employs 3,000 people and reported net sales of $3.5bn in 2024.
RWDC Industries focuses on bio-based materials development, including its Solon PHA biopolymer range, which is used in consumer products, food-service items, packaging, non-wovens and textile applications.
